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Everyone experiences feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, to some degree, at some times. Doubts and insecurities can be crippling, preventing you from taking action, getting results, and succeeding. If anything can keep you rooted in place, tied to your same old ways of life and getting the same mediocre results you’ve always gotten, it is self-doubt and insecurity.
 
If these feelings affect you to a greater level than you’d like, try these simple actions to banish these thoughts deep into the recesses of your brain, stashing them back there in the corners, where they belong.   
 
1. Realize that we are all made of the same stuff
 
Look at the people around you – every shape and size, coming from every walk of life. If you are an old-timer like me, maybe you remember the line from the Styx song Grand Illusion -  “Deep inside we’re all the same”. It’s really true, from the janitor to the company CEO, when you get right down to it we are all pretty much the same, having the same fears, doubts and insecurities. The guy that has conquered his fears started in the same boat as you, and you can do it too.
 
2. At the end of each day, do a ‘success’ review
 
When you lie down at the end of the day to drift off to sleep, mentally review what went well for you that day. Force yourself to think of the good things that happened, rather than what went wrong. Reinforce your successes, forget about your weaknesses.
 
3. Write down the thing that is causing you fear or doubt, taking away its power
 
Once you write down a problem it somehow seems less imposing. While in your mind, a fear is just an idea, looming large and emotional. Write it down though, and suddenly it becomes clearer, more concrete, something that can be overcome, rather than a vague unease in the mind. A great fear of public speaking turns into “I need to write a 20 minute speech”. I can do that, that’s not quite so scary after all.
 
4. Imagine yourself acting in a positive, self-assured manner. Practice mental rehearsal.
 
When you have something coming up that causes you fear, rehearse it in your mind. Before drifting off to sleep, imagine yourself in the situation, poised and confident. Going in for a job interview? See yourself in it, confidently answering questions, coming across as the best choice for the job.
 
5. Repeat to yourself: “Action cures fear”
 
Fear and action cannot co-exist for long. Once you take action, fear takes a back seat. If you are afraid of something, take action towards it – any action. Afraid of an upcoming speech? Start writing down your thoughts and ideas. Nervous about an upcoming interview? Put on a nice set of clothes and practice talking about your amazing qualities while looking in the mirror. Action pushes fear into the background.
 
6. Think of someone who acts in the way you’d like to, and emulate their behavior.
 
Some refer to this as ‘fake it till you make it’. Essentially pretending you have the qualities you’d like, until those qualities actually become ingrained into your being. Practice a grown-up version of make-believe for your own benefit.
 
7. Stand tall; Walk with confidence
 
Just as feeling down can make you slump and shuffle along, the way you act also changes the way you feel. So don’t shuffle along, head hung low – stand tall, walk confident, you’re on top of the world!
 
 
We all have fears, insecurities, and self-doubts. You can either take action to climb above these feelings, or let them rule your life. Take action and move forward!